Dry Skin Impacts Floridians, Too

Dry skin is a common problem for many people during the colder months of the year. Cold weather lowers humidity outside, causing your skin to lose water and become dry, irritated, or flaky — even in Miami.

“Even in South Florida, subtle drops in temperature and humidity can significantly affect the skin barrier,” says Alyx Rosen Aigen, M.D., a dermatologist with the University of Miami Health System. “When the air becomes cooler and drier, we lose more moisture from the skin through trans-epidermal water loss.”

What can you do to minimize that dry, cracked feeling?

Whether you are traveling to a cold region or experiencing a Florida cold front, you can counter the effects of cooler, drier air on your skin by making a few adjustments to your skincare routine.

“The key is flexibility,” Dr. Aigen says. “Your skin routine shouldn’t be static — it should adapt to the environment.”

In particular, she recommends focusing on the following adjustments:

• Switch to a gentle hydrating cleanser instead of foaming cleansers or ones with active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• Apply moisturizer immediately after showering while the skin is still damp. Dr. Aigen keeps his in the shower.
• Use a humidifier indoors if the air feels dry.
• Continue  your daily sunscreen because UV exposure remains significant year-round in Florida.

Your skincare product lineup may need another look for drier weather.

“The biggest adjustment I recommend is shifting from lightweight, gel-based products to more barrier-supportive creams and ointments,” she says. “Look for moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum.”

Other good moisturizing ingredients, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, include:

• jojoba oil
• dimethicone
• glycerin
• lactic acid
• lanolin
• mineral oil
• shea butter

You should also avoid over-exfoliating the skin when it’s cold and dry, which is often a common practice in the warmer summer months. “Many people continue using retinoids, acids, and exfoliating scrubs at the same frequency they did in humid months, which can worsen dryness and irritation,” says Dr. Aigin.

Your clothing can also help ward off the dry skin itch and chafing. In particular, consider wearing gloves if it gets really cold or if you work with your hands a lot. Also, loose-fitting clothing can prevent skin rubbing and irritation that can worsen dry skin.

How to treat dry skin

If dry, cracked, or flaky skin has already begun to set in, then it’s time to get proactive about repair.

“For the lips and hands — two areas that suffer the most — frequent reapplication of petrolatum-based products makes a big difference,” says Dr. Aigen. “For flaking or irritation, I may recommend thicker occlusive moisturizers at night, short courses of prescription anti-inflammatory creams if eczema flares, or barrier-repair products with ceramides.”

When to see a dermatologist for your dry skin

If you have any concerns about the appearance of your skin, make an appointment to visit a dermatologist.

Skin can change significantly as you age, and problems that you may not have faced when you were younger, such as eczema or dermatitis, may start to occur.

“Persistent itching, cracking or red scaly patches may indicate eczema or dermatitis, not just dry skin,” she says. “In some patients, especially older adults, severe dryness can lead to asteatotic eczema, which appears as cracked, fissured skin. If dryness becomes painful, infected, or doesn’t improve with over-the-counter measures, you should see a board-certified dermatologist.”

Written by Wyatt Myers. Medically reviewed by Alyx Rosen Aigen, M.D.

Tags: Alyx Rosen Aigen, Dry skin in Florida, Moisturizers with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, Skincare routine for dry climate changes